- Joined
- Aug 22, 2012
- Messages
- 3
Hi, I'm new ... I've taken Amtrak only a couple times and it was only within Texas and Louisiana (where I live) and it was a while back, so I have a few questions. I know when it comes to this part of the country, never go by the schedule when it comes to arrivals. I'm finally going further west and don't know what to expect. Can anyone tell me how on time arrivals are for Union Station in LA, though? My arrival time is 5:35am and I'm really hoping for a delay of at least a few hours. It seems like things become more organized time-wise where there are more travelers.
Since I've never traveled west of San Antonio, I'm wondering if the amount of people increase the further west it goes? Maybe it was beginners luck, but my trip from NO to SA had very few people. Most of the trip, I had an entire car to myself.
I'm thinking of possibly switching from New Orleans to Lafayette since it is closer to my house and allows me to wake up later / get home earlier. The only thing I worry about is my baggage. I plan on buying locks for my bags. Would anything else be necessary? I only remember the baggage compartments in the area right next to the stairs. Do they have big ones above the seats, too? I read that Lafayette has overnight parking. Has anyone ever used it? Is it free and more importantly, safe?
Finally, anything to lookout for along this route? I love driving I-10 from here to there because of how beautiful it is. Any certain spots that I need to make sure I'm awake? Any nice looking stations that I should get out and take pictures (if there is time)? Are there any good bridges? The only thing that I don't like about possibly switching to Lafayette is not going over the Huey P bridge. I didn't expect that on my first trip and loved that part.
Sorry for all the questions. I'm really excited for this trip. I normally fly it every other month or so, but I've been having panic attacks that were getting worse and worse. I loved the little time I've spent on Amtrak and I can't wait to take a longer trip. I'm a female traveling alone, which is how I took the train before, but my boyfriend is worried and I've done everything I can to reassure him that it is as safe as plane travel ... Plus, it won't have me stressed out our entire time together about my flight home. This is the first time I've looked forward to the traveling part of the trip. I also saved $200 from what I normally pay for a plane ticket, so I can use that for two tickets to Disneyland. :lol:
Since I've never traveled west of San Antonio, I'm wondering if the amount of people increase the further west it goes? Maybe it was beginners luck, but my trip from NO to SA had very few people. Most of the trip, I had an entire car to myself.
I'm thinking of possibly switching from New Orleans to Lafayette since it is closer to my house and allows me to wake up later / get home earlier. The only thing I worry about is my baggage. I plan on buying locks for my bags. Would anything else be necessary? I only remember the baggage compartments in the area right next to the stairs. Do they have big ones above the seats, too? I read that Lafayette has overnight parking. Has anyone ever used it? Is it free and more importantly, safe?
Finally, anything to lookout for along this route? I love driving I-10 from here to there because of how beautiful it is. Any certain spots that I need to make sure I'm awake? Any nice looking stations that I should get out and take pictures (if there is time)? Are there any good bridges? The only thing that I don't like about possibly switching to Lafayette is not going over the Huey P bridge. I didn't expect that on my first trip and loved that part.
Sorry for all the questions. I'm really excited for this trip. I normally fly it every other month or so, but I've been having panic attacks that were getting worse and worse. I loved the little time I've spent on Amtrak and I can't wait to take a longer trip. I'm a female traveling alone, which is how I took the train before, but my boyfriend is worried and I've done everything I can to reassure him that it is as safe as plane travel ... Plus, it won't have me stressed out our entire time together about my flight home. This is the first time I've looked forward to the traveling part of the trip. I also saved $200 from what I normally pay for a plane ticket, so I can use that for two tickets to Disneyland. :lol: